CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW

In this chapter, the writer will describe the theory and previous studies related

to the topic. In the theoretical framework, the writer will explain the theory that will

be used in the analysis, namely the deconstruction of poetry. The first subchapter will

outline the concept of deconstruction that Jacques Derrida pioneered and binary

opposition. the second subchapter is to review related studies that use the same poem,

which will focus on analyzing poetry even though using different theories. this

research will focus on ambiguity in poetry.

2.1 Theoretical Framework

In this first subchapter, the writer discusses about the theory, that will be

applied in poetry and there will be some explanation about the theory used as the

foundation to analyze the data that has been collected. Literary research should be

based on the achievement and analysis of literary works themselves. The approach

that departs from the literary work is called an objective approach. Structural analysis

is the most important part of capturing meaning in the literary work itself.

Of the three poems (Richard Cory, The Rainy Day, and It was not Death, I

Stood Up) that are the object of research, the author will focus on the words of the

three poems. So that it can produce differences in meaning from word similarities or
produce meaning similarities from word differences. Although the three poems have

the same theme. all three poems were analyzed using the theory of deconstruction and

binary opposition by Jacques Derrida. In the process of analysis, the writer will read

the poem carefully, to distinguish the meaning and inconsistency of a writing. So the

purpose of this study is to provide a different meaning from the three poems to

understand an event. The underlying theories will be discussed are as follow: Binary

Opposition and Deconstruction.

2.1.1 Binary Opposition

Binary opposition is the system by which language and thought, two

theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one another

Derrida borrowed and transformed structuralism’s idea that we tend to

conceptualize our experience in terms of opposites – each of which we

understand utilizing its opposition to the other – called binary oppositions.

Example : Good contrasting with Evil and Reason opposite from Emotion.

One term in the pair is always privileged or considered superior to the other.

acknowledge about the interpretation of the text in by seeing the underlying

meaning of the text in structuralism way. Now it is the time to deconstructing

the text. According to deconstruction, the idea of deconstructing the text is

about to seek the meaning of the text and deconstruct it by using the text

itself. The words of the text generate meanings as a result of difference with
other words. Construction of wordplay which keeping them as stable unity in

the structure is limiting the freeplay of the text which forbidding us to put

different perspective of the text (Donato 1970) Following the concept of

postmodernist as Derrida and Baudrillard agreed that the meaning of the text

is dispersed, unstable and takes form as chain of signifier. The interpretation

of the text above is constructed in the structuralism way to see the underlying

meaning. Yet, we are trying to oppose it since there is no particular meaning

of the text since every meaning is dispersed and gained because the text will

produce new meanings at different reading. Basically, we are trying giving

new perspective by deconstructing the text and opposing the interpretations of

poems. Binary opposition can, simply put, be interpreted as a system that

seeks to divide the world into two structurally related classifications. A simple

example is the relationship between the teacher (who gave the lesson) and the

student (who received the lesson). Teachers with students in social

terminology are indeed opposite functions but structurally, in the world of

education, these 2 eleman are absolutely there. A teacher needs a student to

formulate his/her knowledge in a lesson. On the other hand, a student needs

the presence of a teacher as a place to ask questions and a supervisor who

directs his studies. Such is the reality of life that there must be two different

things, whether both positive or negative, or the contradiction (opisisi)

between positive and negative. The actual binary opposition, simply put, can

be interpreted as a system that seeks to divide the world into two structurally
related classifications. A simple example, the relationship between lecturers

who provide lecture materials and students who receive lecture materials

2.1.2 Deconstruction

According to New Criticism, text is meant to be read and focused on

the interaction between form and meaning . According to Wimsat, he stated

that value is always implicit and indefinable and it looks after itself (Brooks

1981). Applying new criticism approach to deconstruct the poem and its

meaning is the basic step of deconstructive anlysis. We can start

deconstructing the poem by using the hierarchy of opossition, ambivalence,

ambiguity and inconsistence. Thus Derrida not only describes the meaning of

the texts it reads exactly, but also turns them into texts that have new

meanings. The two concepts are description and transformation can be

combined into deconstruction. At first glance this concept of deconstruction

seems strange and contradictory. How is it possible to read precisely while

developing the meaning of the text by changing it? But that's what Derrida

would do. According to Nicholas Royle's research, (Royle 2003) Derrida

himself was not very fond of the word. The concept broke away from Derrida,

and began to become an understanding, namely an ism. Since then the concept

of deconstruction has continued to be the subject of debate by many cross-

specual thinkers. Deconstruction also not only moves at the philosophical

level, but also touches on literature, politics, art, architecture, and even natural
 sciences. In cross-science studies, deconstruction can be described as a force

to change and divide the certainty and old pakems that are no longer in

question. In his writings,

Derrida repeatedly writes that the power to change and divide is

actually contained in the text itself. All he did was activate that power, and

then spread it throughout the text. Derrida wants to de-sedimentate the text,

and opens up new possibilities that were previously unthinkable.

2.2 Review of Related Study

Sadness and depression can be found in literature, especially poetry. Several

studies have examined the issue of sadness and depression. The poem "Richard Cory"

by Edwin Arlington Robinson presents a surprise ending that sets up an ironic

contrast, revealing that outward appearances do not necessarily reflect inner reality.

The poem suggests that even those whom we envy may have as many troubles, if not

more, than ourselves. The poet skillfully uses words charged with extraordinary

meaning, highlighting the two meanings of the word "gentleman" and creating a

portrait of Cory as a person of impeccable taste and manners. However, the poem's

true meaning is deeper and darker, as it warns against assuming that external gifts

guarantee happiness, as inner emptiness may cause even the most enviable

individuals to collapse. (Reid 1966)

 The poem "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson is often viewed as a

simple and uncomplicated work with a cheap surprise ending. However, the poem is

actually rich in complexity and becomes increasingly rewarding with successive

readings. The poem portrays a wealthy man named Richard Cory who is admired and

envied by those who consider themselves less fortunate. However, when Cory

unexpectedly commits suicide, it brings about a complete reversal of roles in the

poem. The people are correspondingly elevated as Cory is dethroned. The contrast

between the townspeople and Cory is continued in the last stanza, where the people

are shown to be working and waiting for the light, while Cory lacked spiritual values

and lived only on a material level. The characteristics attributed to Cory in the first

three stanzas take on added significance and become even more ironic when it is

realized that they reveal the inner emptiness that led him to take his own life.

(Anderson 1967)

From the above study overview, it can be summarised that "Richard Cory" by

Edwin Arlington Robinson is a poem with a surprising ending that highlights the

contrast between outward appearances and inner reality. The poem suggests that even

those we envy may have troubles of their own, and warns against assuming that

material possessions guarantee happiness. The poet uses words charged with meaning

to create a portrait of Cory as a person of impeccable taste and manners. However,

the poem's true meaning is deeper and darker, revealing the inner emptiness that led

to Cory's suicide. The poem becomes increasingly rewarding with successive

readings, as it portrays a complete reversal of roles between the admired Cory and the

townspeople who were once envious of him. The contrast between the materialistic

Cory and the spiritually-minded townspeople is continued in the last stanza, where

the people are shown to be waiting for the light while Cory lacked spiritual values.

The poem is complex and rich in meaning, challenging assumptions and highlighting

the dangers of envy and materialism.